AN MP has been selected for a prestigious year-long placement with the Royal Navy.

Havant MP Alan Mak is one of 30 MPs from all parties selected to participate in this year’s Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS).

Our Royal Navy do a tremendous and varied job, from defending our shores to fighting piracy and assisting with humanitarian operations.
Their bravery and professionalism is an example to us all

Alan Mak

It gives MPs first-hand experience of the armed forces so they can build a detailed understanding of the challenges faced by them to inform their parliamentary work – such as the Strategic Defence and Security Review and Spending Review.

Both are taking place later in 2015, and will determine the armed forces budgets for the coming years.

Mr Mak is one of 10 MPs joining the Royal Navy where he will learn about strategy, understanding the navy’s role in warfare and peacekeeping, meet navy personnel ranging from senior officers to junior seamen, and visit Royal Navy bases around the country.

He will also visit Royal Navy personnel deployed abroad.

Mr Mak said: ‘Our Royal Navy do a tremendous and varied job, from defending our shores to fighting piracy and assisting with humanitarian operations.

‘Their bravery and professionalism is an example to us all, and I am honoured to have the opportunity to see them at work first-hand over the next 12 months I’m delighted to have been selected to spend a year with the Royal Navy.

‘I’m looking forward to meeting navy personnel and visiting navy bases so I can understand what life is like on a day-to-day basis.

‘Havant is home to many Royal Navy personnel and veterans, and I will be a strong champion for them.’

Major Johnny Longbottom is the organiser of the AFPS.

He said: ‘Alan Mak is a strong champion for our armed forces and we are delighted he’s been selected to spend a year with the Royal Navy in order to understand the challenges today’s navy personnel face.

‘Havant has a strong Royal Navy tradition and I am sure Alan will be an excellent ambassador for local servicemen and veterans.’